[News] With Young Pass Rushers An 'Unknown,' Ravens Will Strongly Consider More

[BR News]

Assistant General Manager Eric DeCosta views pass rushers similarly to cornerbacks. A team can never have enough. Thus, despite drafting three in the past two years, the Ravens could dip into the pass-rusher pool once again.

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[The Greek]

a question for harbaugh to ask himself is does he have the right coaches to develop these young pass rushers currently on the roster

[sami]

"we think Correa is going to be a guy". That's like looking at someones ugly new born and saying "now theres a baby"

[ravens4life86]

I'll answer it for DeCosta.. No they dont have replacements for Sizzle or Dum.
Correa looks like a bust, Koufusi too, Judon is a hit in the 5th round but is he anything more then a Mcphee or Kruger? Which is very nice player, a 10 sack guy, but eventually let go by Ravens.
If you want a replacement.. I believe they said it before, you got a take 1 likely in the 1st round.

So Ravens will have options, Barnett,Mckinley,Harris etc pick 1

[b93333]

"Baltimore invested three draft picks" to improve the pass rush. What we saw was opposing QB's having all day to pass... especially in the 4th quarter with the game on the line. Not much of an investment as it turned out.

[TheConquerorWorm]

I'll answer it for DeCosta.. No they dont have replacements for Sizzle or Dum.
Correa looks like a bust, Koufusi too, Judon is a hit in the 5th round but is he anything more then a Mcphee or Kruger? Which is very nice player, a 10 sack guy, but eventually let go by Ravens.
If you want a replacement.. I believe they said it before, you got a take 1 likely in the 1st round.

So Ravens will have options, Barnett,Mckinley,Harris etc pick 1

There's no guarantee in the 1st Round either - Fowler, Bud Dupree, Shaq Thompson, Shaq Lawson, Leonard Floyd, Jarvis Jones, Dee Ford, etc have all been "busts" despite taken in the 1st Round. Outside of Khalil Mack and Vic Beasley (both selected in the Top 10) - every pass rusher drafted in the 1st Round in the last 4 years has been a bust. And in reality, besides those 2, EVERY pass rusher drafted in all rounds of the last 4 years has been a bust (so far).....Labeling a player a bust after 1 or 2 years is premature as I think a couple of those names above can have a decent NFL career - it takes time to develop to be a productive player in the NFL. Part of the reason it's so hard to find pass rushers is because almost all of them played their entire college career going against college Tackles that aren't good enough to be back-ups in the NFL. Only 1 Tackle from the SEC will get drafted in the 1st 3 rounds this year (Cam) and he projects more of a Guard at the NFL level.

[Drew P]

17 minutes ago, TheConquerorWorm said:

Leonard Floyd

By what measure has Floyd been a bust?

[TheConquerorWorm]

  20 minutes ago, TheConquerorWorm said:

Leonard Floyd

By what measure has Floyd been a bust?

That's my point - it's too early to label someone a bust, But for a Top 10 pick to have 23 tackles and 7 sacks and only play 49% of the time is not exactly setting the world on fire. Z'Darious Smith had 20 tackles and 5.5 sacks his rookie year. Pernell McPhee had 16 tackles and 6 sacks his rookie year.

[ravens4life86]

ConquerorWorm, whats your deal? Do you try to bother people?
Every time you respond to me, its like your trying to be Nastrdamas or something.

Why dont Ozzie just come to you for who to pick, and how the draft will go down, who will be the busts etc.

Jeez let it be.

[TheConquerorWorm]

23 minutes ago, ravens4life86 said:

ConquerorWorm, whats your deal? Do you try to bother people?
Every time you respond to me, its like your trying to be Nastrdamas or something.

Why dont Ozzie just come to you for who to pick, and how the draft will go down, who will be the busts etc.

Jeez let it be.

What's your deal? Every post - this guys a bust, that guys a bust, we should have kept Upshaw (cause 14 tackles and 0.5 sack in a year is so hard to replace), blah, blah, blah....

Seriously man, you get on here an label Kaufusi a bust. He had a player fall on his ankle and break it - how is that a bust?

I don't get on here and pretend I know better than Oz & Company on who to draft because the draft is a crap shoot anyway. But you seem to know exactly what they should do all the time - "I'll answer it for DeCosta"...smh

Edited February 2 by TheConquerorWorm

[ravens4life86]

Heres a bunch of 1st round hits last 4 years on pass rushers, interior and outside since supposedly too many have been busts.

Bosa
Clowney
Mack
Donald
L.Williams
S.Ray
D.Ford
F.Cox
W.Mercilus
N.Perry
S.Richardson
C.Jones

All 1st round picks almost everyone made a pro bowl. Thats not busting.
So if you want gamechanging outside especially rusher likely take them in rnd 1

[Purple Dawg 96]

That Ravens Defense did their job in my book, they got left hangin in several games so anything Ozzie and Co. do I'm down with it! Brent Urban is my Dawg and should get more snaps and KC!

[TheConquerorWorm]

Heres a bunch of 1st round hits last 4 years on pass rushers, interior and outside since supposedly too many have been busts.

Bosa
Clowney
Mack
Donald
L.Williams
S.Ray
D.Ford
F.Cox
W.Mercilus
N.Perry
S.Richardson
C.Jones

All 1st round picks almost everyone made a pro bowl. Thats not busting.
So if you want gamechanging outside especially rusher likely take them in rnd 1

Wow, 12 guys in the last 5 drafts? And 8 of them play d-line. That leaves Mack, Ray, Ford & Perry as outside pass rushers. Besides Mack, none of them did anything their first years (just like KC & Kaufusi) which according to your post makes them a bust....

[Chuckx999]

PLEASE Lets get a O Lineman that can start. If we had a team that could hold the ball another 5-7 minutes a game what a dream. Add a RB and a TE, the defense could be rested and with TWO FAST corners they could actually help us win a few games. The TE's we have are just bad, that includes Pitta. He's over due for another breakdown. We need starters that can score TD's, not just more 3 pointers.
We need cap space. Out with the OLD and in with the NEW and FAST. We might be just 8 and 8 again, but what are we getting with what we have?????

[ravens4life86]

ConquerorWorm, you need to take a chill pill.

Of that whole list
Donald, Leonard Williams, Sheldon Richardson are the only pure DTs interior guys.

Bosa,Clowney,Mack,Ray,Ford,Cox,Perry,Mercillus,Jones all 3-4 olbr or 4-3 DE both of which can play in Ravens system

And virtually all of them made a pro bowl.

So chill out, just because it doesnt fit your narrative all the time

[TheConquerorWorm]

a question for harbaugh to ask himself is does he have the right coaches to develop these young pass rushers currently on the roster

I agree. But I think now that Wink is coaching the entire LB unit (not just the ILB as before) we got a good chance. Just look at what he did with Judon in his first year. We need that same type of coach for our WRs and DBs - I don't think Engram & Hewitt have what it takes. Look at what Frazier did with Tavon - something Hewitt hasn't done in his 5 years here.

[KidNme]

"we think Correa is going to be a guy". That's like looking at someones ugly new born and saying "now theres a baby"

Too funny! :-) +1

[ellicottraven]

"we think Correa is going to be a guy". That's like looking at someones ugly new born and saying "now theres a baby"

lol man! This is the second one that got me going today. The first one was a cartoon of Donald Duck insisting on changing his first name by pounding the desk of a county clerk!

[Moderator 3]

3 hours ago, ravens4life86 said:

And virtually all of them made a pro bowl.

So did Zuttah.  Your point?

[EdTheMythicalOne]

The edge rush is certainly an area of pressing need due to a number of factors.

1) Dumervil being cut can save us around $6-7 million, he's come off a major injury, and he's getting up there in age. I'm not saying he's done completely, but for those reasons I don't think he's the same impact player he was in his prime and probably won't be again unless in the right system. Despite our lack of depth here I say that money needs to be invested elsewhere.

2) Suggs isn't going to play forever and in recent years he's been injury prone. He'll play until he decides he doesn't want to anymore and he will be a Raven until that time comes, but I think he's got 1-2 more years max and he's at the stage now where he should be rotated more.

3) Correa is going to be moved to ILB mainly due to the unfortunate loss of Orr due to injury retirement. I don't think Correa was going to be a terror on the edge anyway and he's really behind the 8 ball on becoming a middle backer because you are responsible for a lot more than just pin your ears back and rush every down.

4) Judon was good when he played so I think he can be pretty good, but Z. Smith took a big step backward.

We've got a lot of needs to address and not all of them can be solved in the draft. This is what Ozzie and the front office get paid to do. They need to figure out what their biggest needs are and the best way to address them in the draft/free agency. I think the Ravens will play safety net here. They will sign a veteran with the intention of them starting and they will draft some edge players maybe in the second round or later.

[ravens4life86]

Moderator 3,

"So did Zuttah. Your point?"

I know Pro Bowl is devalued to a extent because Star players are sitting out and 3rd and 4th alternate players like Zuttah fill in. But have the common sense to understand Pro Bowl still is how you determine the best in the nfl. Ray,Ed,JO are not hofrs if they make 0 pro bowls. Yanda, sizzle likely on the path to hof.

So point was Clowney,Bosa,Chandler Jones, Mack etc all very good defensive players. They would definitely upgrade Ravens defense

[BigUgly]

Z'adarius Smith is not will never be a very effective edge rusher, but with some work could be an edge setter in the mold of Courtney Upshaw. His 5.5 sacks his rookie year did not come within 2-3 seconds of the snap, where he immediately beat an OT. They were the result of continuing to hustle as the QB scrambled in the pocket looking for his 2nd or 3rd progression. Good, player, nice motor, but not an elite pass rusher or someone the offense has to game plan for. At best, he's a complementary player who lines up on the right side of the offense who can on occasion bring some pressure.

[The Greek]

12 hours ago, TheConquerorWorm said:

I agree. But I think now that Wink is coaching the entire LB unit (not just the ILB as before) we got a good chance. Just look at what he did with Judon in his first year. We need that same type of coach for our WRs and DBs - I don't think Engram & Hewitt have what it takes. Look at what Frazier did with Tavon - something Hewitt hasn't done in his 5 years here.

i thought it was a mistake to keep engram and promote hewitt but it falls on harbs in this crucial year for him. his job depends on all these coaches panning out. 

[good_n_purple]

"Baltimore invested three draft picks" to improve the pass rush. What we saw was opposing QB's having all day to pass... especially in the 4th quarter with the game on the line. Not much of an investment as it turned out.

Yup...no return on investment. I don't know what they were thinking with Correa. Let him stay in his natural position. It's not his fault the coaches/scouts did not see the need for an inside LB. Kaufusi was a dud in training camp until his injury. No moves, just bull-rush which probably worked in college. Pros? Not so much.

Judon is encouraging but needs to work on his strength, and as a lot of rookies do probably hit the wall in a long season.

[whobilly]

  15 hours ago, b93333 said:

"Baltimore invested three draft picks" to improve the pass rush. What we saw was opposing QB's having all day to pass... especially in the 4th quarter with the game on the line. Not much of an investment as it turned out.

Yup...no return on investment. I don't know what they were thinking with Correa. Let him stay in his natural position. It's not his fault the coaches/scouts did not see the need for an inside LB. Kaufusi was a dud in training camp until his injury. No moves, just bull-rush which probably worked in college. Pros? Not so much.

Judon is encouraging but needs to work on his strength, and as a lot of rookies do probably hit the wall in a long season.

KC.....our new Arthur Brown. CP(Can't Play)

[sizzlingdoom]

  32 minutes ago, good_n_purple said:

  15 hours ago, b93333 said:

"Baltimore invested three draft picks" to improve the pass rush. What we saw was opposing QB's having all day to pass... especially in the 4th quarter with the game on the line. Not much of an investment as it turned out.

Yup...no return on investment. I don't know what they were thinking with Correa. Let him stay in his natural position. It's not his fault the coaches/scouts did not see the need for an inside LB. Kaufusi was a dud in training camp until his injury. No moves, just bull-rush which probably worked in college. Pros? Not so much.

Judon is encouraging but needs to work on his strength, and as a lot of rookies do probably hit the wall in a long season.

KC.....our new Arthur Brown. CP(Can't Play)

Glad we took him over KC over
Spence- best pass rusher in the draft ( and Bosa) - O no! he took X in college though...nobody's ever done that
Also glad we took KC over Michael Thomas and Sterling Shepard...the two best wrs in the whole draft. We could've taken any 3 of those obvious big dawgs...and ironically enough...they are both huge areas of need!! Instead we took a hustle player from Boise State without an NFL position that can't even play special teams.......WOW!
"In Ozzie we WHAT?" We might've heard our last of that phrase. Hopefully not, but it's certainly heading that way

[sizzlingdoom]

ConquerorWorm, you need to take a chill pill.

Of that whole list
Donald, Leonard Williams, Sheldon Richardson are the only pure DTs interior guys.

Bosa,Clowney,Mack,Ray,Ford,Cox,Perry,Mercillus,Jones all 3-4 olbr or 4-3 DE both of which can play in Ravens system

And virtually all of them made a pro bowl.

So chill out, just because it doesnt fit your narrative all the time

But his facts are correct according to him because he played "higher levels of football" and we haven't. Funniest thing I've ever seen on this site by far!!!!!!!!!!

[RaRaRavens]

  1 hour ago, whobilly said:

  1 hour ago, good_n_purple said:

  16 hours ago, b93333 said:

"Baltimore invested three draft picks" to improve the pass rush. What we saw was opposing QB's having all day to pass... especially in the 4th quarter with the game on the line. Not much of an investment as it turned out.

Yup...no return on investment. I don't know what they were thinking with Correa. Let him stay in his natural position. It's not his fault the coaches/scouts did not see the need for an inside LB. Kaufusi was a dud in training camp until his injury. No moves, just bull-rush which probably worked in college. Pros? Not so much.

Judon is encouraging but needs to work on his strength, and as a lot of rookies do probably hit the wall in a long season.

KC.....our new Arthur Brown. CP(Can't Play)

Glad we took him over KC over
Spence- best pass rusher in the draft ( and Bosa) - O no! he took X in college though...nobody's ever done that
Also glad we took KC over Michael Thomas and Sterling Shepard...the two best wrs in the whole draft. We could've taken any 3 of those obvious big dawgs...and ironically enough...they are both huge areas of need!! Instead we took a hustle player from Boise State without an NFL position that can't even play special teams.......WOW!
"In Ozzie we WHAT?" We might've heard our last of that phrase. Hopefully not, but it's certainly heading that way

But...but...but... KC is such a "great smart high character guy". How in the world was he such an abysmal disappointment with literally ZERO passion to play football?!

Hmmm, I don't know, could it have something to do with the fact that our criteria for the players we are drafting have been colossally * upped ever since Harbaugh arrived?!

[sizzlingdoom]

  1 hour ago, sizzlingdoom said:

  1 hour ago, whobilly said:

  1 hour ago, good_n_purple said:

  16 hours ago, b93333 said:

"Baltimore invested three draft picks" to improve the pass rush. What we saw was opposing QB's having all day to pass... especially in the 4th quarter with the game on the line. Not much of an investment as it turned out.

Yup...no return on investment. I don't know what they were thinking with Correa. Let him stay in his natural position. It's not his fault the coaches/scouts did not see the need for an inside LB. Kaufusi was a dud in training camp until his injury. No moves, just bull-rush which probably worked in college. Pros? Not so much.

Judon is encouraging but needs to work on his strength, and as a lot of rookies do probably hit the wall in a long season.

KC.....our new Arthur Brown. CP(Can't Play)

Glad we took him over KC over
Spence- best pass rusher in the draft ( and Bosa) - O no! he took X in college though...nobody's ever done that
Also glad we took KC over Michael Thomas and Sterling Shepard...the two best wrs in the whole draft. We could've taken any 3 of those obvious big dawgs...and ironically enough...they are both huge areas of need!! Instead we took a hustle player from Boise State without an NFL position that can't even play special teams.......WOW!
"In Ozzie we WHAT?" We might've heard our last of that phrase. Hopefully not, but it's certainly heading that way

But...but...but... KC is such a "great smart high character guy". How in the world was he such an abysmal disappointment with literally ZERO passion to play football?!

Hmmm, I don't know, could it have something to do with the fact that our criteria for the players we are drafting have been colossally * upped ever since Harbaugh arrived?!

Why fine sir, it just may have something to do with that. It just may. Ozzie has final say though, so they're both blowing it

[EdTheMythicalOne]

  12 hours ago, whobilly said:

  12 hours ago, good_n_purple said:

  On 2/2/2017 at 4:42 PM, b93333 said:

"Baltimore invested three draft picks" to improve the pass rush. What we saw was opposing QB's having all day to pass... especially in the 4th quarter with the game on the line. Not much of an investment as it turned out.

Yup...no return on investment. I don't know what they were thinking with Correa. Let him stay in his natural position. It's not his fault the coaches/scouts did not see the need for an inside LB. Kaufusi was a dud in training camp until his injury. No moves, just bull-rush which probably worked in college. Pros? Not so much.

Judon is encouraging but needs to work on his strength, and as a lot of rookies do probably hit the wall in a long season.

KC.....our new Arthur Brown. CP(Can't Play)

Glad we took him over KC over
Spence- best pass rusher in the draft ( and Bosa) - O no! he took X in college though...nobody's ever done that
Also glad we took KC over Michael Thomas and Sterling Shepard...the two best wrs in the whole draft. We could've taken any 3 of those obvious big dawgs...and ironically enough...they are both huge areas of need!! Instead we took a hustle player from Boise State without an NFL position that can't even play special teams.......WOW!
"In Ozzie we WHAT?" We might've heard our last of that phrase. Hopefully not, but it's certainly heading that way

Hang on a second. This post is a bit disingenuous. First of all, we're not really sure what we've got with KC. The Ravens moved him all over the field so that didn't help his learning curve and then he gets injured. I am not sold on him, but I doubt he's the impact guy the Ravens were looking for.

Now for the disingenuous part:

Joey Bosa was the 4th pick overall in the draft. The Ravens didn't pick until 6th where they got Ronnie Stanley. They didn't pass over Bosa to get KC. That's just silly.

Now, you can certainly make a case for Spence because he would have been there for the Ravens to pick if they wanted him at the #6 spot in the second round. Thomas and Sheppard were also there if the Ravens wanted them at #6, but they gambled on trading down and getting KC and two more draft picks.

I think the Ravens are shooting themselves in the foot with trying to make KC a middle linebacker. We need edge rushers big time. They need to work with him and develop him there. I think he's probably an option to take over Dumervil's spot in the defense. A smaller speed rush guy can get it done.